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GARBED IN VINTAGE GOODWILL CLOTHES,John Kirby's smile radiates on one
of his fun runs(ten miles)or in the Boston Marathon.He will be running in his third
this year.
THE REVIEW Wed., March 29, 1978
anceacoires
_
i}taga9sylg
By Mickey Herron
easily misunderstood but a proud by's average), is considered a freak, but
"I was tired of seeing a has-been in the possessor of a great deal of perspective. an admired one.While they gulp oxygen,
mirror, drinking and smoking alot — I Kirby is now 53 years old. In four short observers sip brandy and trade tales of
could see my destiny was a paunchy years he has two Boston Marathons and a the past.They may die on the very same
middle age." variety of other competitions under his day, but the similarity ends there.
belt, (bought at Goodwills as was his
The plethora of accounts regarding the other running gear).But Kirby is not the Acute physical and mental awareness
state of this and the state of that seem traditional competitor. are the objectives.It is almost as if urban
endless.Mostly illuminating bad stuff.So "My definition of competition would be middle America wants to ignore this facet
stories portraying individual heroes who friendly jousting. . .I don't care if I ever of life. Words do little justice to the act,
successfully cope are now chic. win a race." but Kirby thrills the listener with
But there is a man who couldn't care descriptive magic when he talks of the
less about admiration from observers and After 49 years of gregarious living different pieces of the long-distance
who does deserve it more.That is,for the ("my friends in North St.Paul can attest puzzle.
last four years. Since he started long- to it,"), Kirby jogged to the end of his "The first mile my blood pressure rises
distance running. driveway and almost collapsed. Then rapidly and as I become loosened up on
from his once isolated converted log the second and third miles, the pressure
John Kirby of Maplewood is a func- cabin, he managed to reach McKnight drops, the heart beat slows and I am
tional blend of irreverence and in- Road without pain. The process had ready for cruising.After five miles,I gulp
volvement. The kind of person who is begun.The formula was and still is start as much air as I can and it is a piece of
out slowly. It will happen. cake. It is a form of self hypnosis — or
: - What happened to Kirby was in a few ultimate relaxation.Cruising is the joy of
`
,' ,24,41i years time,he would affectionately refer running."
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�: ^ to killer hills as, "where the action is."
"I went down to Dallas to attend a clinic On these recreational runs or fun runs
given by Dr. Kenneth Cooper, the father as Kirby calls them,he can lose five or six
of Aerobics in the U.S.One portion of the miles at a crack.The relaxation comes in
clinic was a personality examination. He part from extended physical exercise and
said I had a tendency to hold far-out pure mental meditation, a combination
�,� opinions in the creative self." which lends itself to this type of
And then nonchalantly assessing that disassociation. But Kirby never144 for a moment Kirby said, "I disassociates in marathons.Especially in
suppose all runners would fit into that ones like the 50 kilometer race he
category." courageously finished last year. Read
between the lines when he states, "the
ti,
a "You have to be a self-initiating type of last five miles were hard as hell."
�- person to run long distances. I enjoy
R• people, but I don't mind being alone." Kirby is now addicted to running. He
'"' Although Kirby runs with friends on calls it a positive addiction. When he
occasion, the long distance runner must doesn't run for a few days,his self-esteem
< '.
still be in tune with the self. And the goes down. He has never gone more than
benefits have been recorded and lauded five days without a fix since he started
by everyone from Timothy Leary to Jack running. If one starts correctly, Kirby
h Nicklaus. Kirby's physical changes were figures the runner will get hooked in a
k equalled by mental ones. The Zen of year.It is undoubtedly a commitment for
s „ running opens horizons for a much a few, but even more unquestionably
fresher and more alive state of being. worth it. Kirby is a testimony to that
>` Everyone seems to have heard about the spirit.
.fes •Y _ _ grand benefits of running, but few have
KIRBY TAKES TIME OUT from his the tenacity to start and stay with it. By the way, he's a county judge and
jaunt to help a young girl control her runs seven miles to the Ramsey County
horse near Camp Owendigo. Animals The concept of physical exertion is a Court House and back each day. One
have equal domain on the Kirby property, paradox in modern society. The in- could say he has put new meaning into the
inside and outside the house. dividual who logs 80 miles a week (Kir- phrase, "you can't run from the law."
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RUNNING IN THE BUCOLIC CARVER LAKE AREA in which he lives,Kirby averages 70-80 miles
a week eliciting the remark,"It is positive addiction."